MP Saleem Elected as Deputy Speaker of Parliament

In a parliamentary session held last night, Hoarafushi MP Ahmed Saleem emerged victorious in the election for the position of deputy speaker of the parliament. 

The vacancy arose following the resignation of the former deputy speaker, North Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla, yesterday.

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Promptly responding to the vacancy, the parliament scheduled a session at 8:30 pm last night to elect a new deputy speaker. The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the majority party in the parliament, nominated MP Saleem and Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir for the position.

MP Jabir’s nomination, supported by Thoddoo MP Hassan Shiyan and Gadhdhoo MP Ahmed Zahir, was met with competition from MP Saleem, who secured the majority vote in the MDP’s parliamentary group earlier in the day.

The selection process involved a secret vote, overseen by a five-member committee comprising Mahibadhoo MP Ahmed Thoriq, North Machangolhi MP Mohamed Rasheed, Thulusdhoo MP Ibrahim Naseer, South Henveiru MP Hussain Shaheem, and Nolhivaram MP Mohamed Rasheed, who had unanimous approval from 60 lawmakers.

In the secret ballot, MP Saleem garnered 51 votes, securing his election as the new deputy speaker, while MP Jabir received 23 votes. A total of 74 lawmakers participated in the voting process.

The resignation of MP Eva Abdulla as deputy speaker earlier in the day occurred during a sitting where she faced a no-confidence motion filed by MDP. Despite being granted the opportunity to present her defence, Eva Abdulla announced her resignation at the conclusion of her defence.

The Speaker of the Parliament, Mohamed Aslam, confirmed the receipt of Eva’s resignation letter and subsequently accepted her resignation. The no-confidence motion against Eva was initiated by MDP with the support of 50 lawmakers.